Skilled Trades in Alberta: How Immigrants Can Benefit from Provincial Incentives

Canada is currently facing a significant labor market gap in the trades industry. A recent study by Statistics Canada highlights this issue, revealing that the national labor market is under “downward pressure” due to a surge in retirements among baby boomers born between 1955 and 1965. Consequently, Canada’s labor force participation rate has dropped to its lowest level in 20 years, standing at 65% in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

To address these shortages, both federal and provincial governments are actively seeking skilled workers to strengthen the workforce in this critical sector.

Explore Your Eligibility for Canadian Immigration

While Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is working to alleviate these shortages, Alberta has introduced financial incentives to attract skilled tradespeople to the province.

What Alberta Offers Skilled Trades Immigrants

In April 2024, the Government of Alberta launched the Alberta is Calling program, which provides a one-time refundable tax credit of $5,000 to up to 2,000 eligible skilled tradespeople.

Eligibility requirements include:

• • Being 18 years or older at the time of application
  • Being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • Relocating to Alberta between May 1 and December 31, 2024
  • Being a tax resident of Alberta by December 31, 2024
  • Residing in Alberta for at least 12 consecutive months at the time of application

For detailed information on eligibility and the application process, visit the Government of Alberta’s webpage.

The Trades Industry in Alberta

Alberta has long faced a notable labor shortage in the trades industry, making trade careers among the most sought-after in the province. Currently, nine trade occupations are identified as high-demand by the Government of Alberta, including:

• • Construction Managers (NOC 70010)
  • Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics, and Mechanical Repairers (NOC 72410)
  • Plumbers (NOC 72300)
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NOC 21310)
  • Civil Engineers (NOC 21300)
  • Engineering Managers (NOC 20010)
  • Automotive and Heavy Truck and Equipment Parts Installers and Servicers (NOC 74203)
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians (NOC 22310)
  • Electrical Mechanics (NOC 72422)

For more details about these professions and the trades industry in Alberta, visit the provincial government’s dedicated trades website.

Current Job Market in Alberta

According to May 2024 data from Statistics Canada, Alberta has a substantial number of job vacancies, ranking fourth in Canada behind Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia:

• • Ontario: 204,180
  • Quebec: 130,735
  • British Columbia: 102,720
  • Alberta: 76,500

This high vacancy rate indicates promising employment opportunities for newcomers to Alberta, both within and outside the trades sector. For additional information about employment and life in Alberta, click here.